Austin FC

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Austin FC emerged from a market previously overlooked by major leagues, filling a void left after the Austin Aztex relocated to become Orlando City SC and the second-division Austin Bold paused operations. In October 2017, Precourt Sports Ventures announced plans to move the Columbus Crew franchise to Austin for a 2019 start, but an Ohio-based group led by Jimmy and Dee Haslam acquired the Crew in late 2018, securing Austin's spot as a new expansion team instead. On August 22, 2018, the club unveiled its name and badge at the North Door, featuring 'Bright Verde' to project vibrancy and intertwined oaks symbolizing the bond between club and city. The franchise officially launched on January 15, 2019, with a targeted 2021 debut. Ownership expanded into Two Oak Ventures, adding local celebrities to the mix. The club's identity was forged quickly: Josh Wolff became head coach in July 2019, Claudio Reyna joined as Sporting Director that November, and Rodney Redes signed as the first player in July 2020.

In Their Own Story

The inaugural season began on April 17, 2021, with a 0–2 loss to LAFC at Banc of California Stadium. Victory arrived the following week against the Colorado Rapids (3–1), where Diego Fagúndez scored the club's first goal and Designated Player Cecilio Dominguez added two more. The home opener on June 19, 2021, against San Jose Earthquakes ended in a 0-0 draw before the team secured its first home win on July 1 with a 4–1 victory over Portland Timbers; Jon Gallagher scored the first MLS goal at Q2 Stadium. In 2022, Austin FC set an MLS record with 10 goals in their first two matches and claimed their first trophy, the Division 1 Copa Tejas, on July 16. Moussa Djitte scored the first hat trick in club history during a crucial playoff-clinching win against Real Salt Lake. However, the path was not linear: after reaching the Western Conference Final in 2022, they lost to LAFC 3–0. By 2024, the team missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year, leading to Josh Wolff's release on October 6, 2024.

Reader's Guide

Fans can attend matches at Q2 Stadium, a privately financed facility owned by the City of Austin and located near The Domain. The venue seats 20,738 and opened on June 19, 2021. For travel, the Red Line's McKalla station began service on February 24, 2024, connecting directly to the stadium as part of Project Connect. Supporters' groups include Austin Anthem, Los Verdes, La Murga de Austin band, Fighting Leslies DC, and Oak Army New Braunfels. The club also developed a reserves team, Austin FC II, debuting in MLS Next Pro in 2023, and utilizes the St. David's Performance Center in northeast Austin for training. Recent roster movements include the hiring of Nico Estévez as head coach for the 2025 season after Claudio Reyna stepped down from his director role in early 2023. The team reached its first U.S. Open Cup final in 2025, losing 1–2 to Nashville SC. Following a difficult 2026 start with multiple injuries and a 13th-place standing after 14 matches, the club released both Rodolfo Borrell and Nico Estévez just before the FIFA World Cup break.

Did You Know?

• Prior to 2021, Austin was the largest city in the United States without a major professional sports league team.
• The club's badge features four roots uniting North, East, South, and West compass directions of Austin.
• Sebastián Driussi became the first player to score 10, 20, and 30 career goals for the club, all achieved in the 2022 season alone.
• Owen Wolff signed as the club's first homegrown player on September 9, 2021.
• Austin FC lost its first match ever (to LAFC) but secured its first victory just one week later against the Colorado Rapids.